A hand holding four playing cards, forming a club flush, with a glowing energy ring around them.

Short and sweet, 3-Card Poker (also known as Tri-Card Poker) is one of the most popular poker variants in the world. Play one round and you’ll see exactly why: it’s quick, simple, and heaps of fun.

But if you’ve never played this version of poker (or much poker at all), you may be wondering how it works.

With the help of this guide, you’ll learn 3-Card Poker rules, hands, and strategic tips to crush your competition.

What is 3-Card Poker? A Brief Breakdown

Though its name may suggest similarities with 5-Card Poker, the games are actually very different. The biggest distinction is that the players compete against the dealer, not each other.

The game sees each player and the dealer receives three hole cards. Players must then decide if they think they’ve got a strong enough hand to beat the dealer and place their bets accordingly.

A close-up of a player revealing a Jack of clubs and an Ace of hearts on a green poker table.

How to Play: A Quick & Easy Guide to 3-Card Poker Rules

If you’re a beginner, 3-Card Poker is an excellent starting point. It’s easy to follow, quick, and only requires a basic level of strategy.

After paying the ante, each player at the table and the dealer receives three hole cards face-down. The players can look at their cards, but the dealer’s cards remain face-down on the table.

At this stage, the first and only betting round takes place. After inspecting their cards, every player will have the chance to do one of the following:

  • Play — Match the ante bet to stay in the game.
  • Fold — Abandon the game, forfeiting the ante bet.

Once the betting round is done, the dealer and all remaining players must show their hands.

Important note: The dealer’s hand only qualifies if they hold a queen or higher.

If the dealer has a stronger qualifying hand than a player, that player loses both their ante and play chips.

If the player has a stronger hand than the dealer’s qualifying hand, they receive a payout equivalent to their ante and play bets combined.

If the player and dealer tie, the player’s original ante and play bets will be returned to them; no additional chips are exchanged.

If the dealer doesn’t hold a qualifying hand, they must pay all remaining players an amount equivalent to their ante bet.

The Trumping Trios: A Guide to 3-Card Poker Hands

Because you’re playing with fewer cards, there are fewer possible 3-Card Poker hands than many other poker variants. From strongest to weakest, here are the hands you might encounter:

  • Straight Flush — Any three consecutive cards in the same suit.
  • Three of a Kind — Three cards of the same rank.
  • Straight — Any three consecutive cards.
  • Flush — Any three cards of the same suit.
  • One Pair — Two cards of the same rank.

High Card — No matched cards. The card of the highest rank represents the strength of the hand (with ace being the highest possible rank).

Players at a poker table with stacks of chips and a winning hand displayed.

Play Smarter: 3 Must-Know Tips to Win 3-Card Poker

Although 3-Card Poker is largely a game of luck, some basic strategy is needed to succeed. With that in mind, these are some of the top tips that will help you beat the dealer and grow your winnings.

1. Don’t Forget Pair Plus Bets

At most casinos, you’ll have the option to place a pair plus bet when you place your ante bet. If you make this bet and you end up landing a pair or better, you’ll receive a payout. For this wager, the dealer’s hand is irrelevant. The exact payout depends on the quality of your hand and the amount you wager.

While the exact payout rates may vary between casinos, you can generally expect to receive the following:

  • Straight Flush — 40:1 payout.
  • Three of a Kind — 30:1 payout.
  • Straight — 6:1 payout.
  • Flush — 3:1 payout.
  • One Pair — 1:1 payout.

If you’re feeling adventurous, pair plus bets can be an excellent way to add to the excitement of 3-Card Poker. Not to mention, if you’re dealt the right hand, they could skyrocket your rewards.

2. Play to the Odds

In any form of poker, playing to the odds is crucial — and 3-Card Poker is no exception.

As a general rule of thumb, you should only place a play bet if your hand is better than a Q-6-4. To follow this rule, you need to look at each card individually:

  • Your Highest Card — If your highest card is a king or higher, play. If it’s a jack or lower, fold. If it’s a queen, look to your second-highest card.
  • Your Second-Highest Card — If your second-highest card is a 7 or higher, play. If it’s a 5 or lower, fold. If it’s exactly a 6, look to your final card.
  • Your Final Card — If your final card is a 4 or higher, play. If it’s a 3 or lower, fold.

Following this structure helps ensure that, statistically, you’re giving yourself the best chance of beating the dealer.

3. Know When to Walk Away

Like any casino game, it’s important to know when to walk away from the 3-Card Poker table.


Ideally, before you start playing, you should set a spending limit. If you’ve reached or surpassed that limit, it’s best to call it a day.

Additionally, if you find yourself becoming overly frustrated, angry, or depressed at your outcomes, stop playing. Above all else, playing poker should be fun; the second it’s not, you need to walk away.

Fatigue is another telltale sign that you’re ready to call it quits. When you’re tired, your judgement is affected; this could lead to careless and costly mistakes.

Remember that taking breaks isn’t a bad thing. The game will always be there waiting for you when you’re ready to come back.

Play 3-Card Draw Poker at Ignition Casino

Are you ready to try 3-Card Poker for yourself? Look no further than Ignition Casino.

Ignition is home to an outstanding selection of online poker games. Whether you’re in the mood for 3-Card, 5-Card, Texas Hold’Em, Omaha, or anything in between, you’ll find all the action here. Learn more about how to play poker in Australia here.